Accessories

win: custom artwork by adriane duckworth

Accessories

win: custom artwork by adriane duckworth

I think it's been pretty much a year
to the day since I've written for the Style at Home blog, and boy oh boy, have I missed it. But like a wee chick to a mother hen, I've found my way back and I thought I'd kick things off with a fab giveaway for you all! This past weekend I attended
BlogPodium in Toronto and met a bunch of incredible Canadian design bloggers, one of them being
Adriane Duckworth. After chit chatting for awhile, I found out that Adriane is an incredible artist (and new mum!) and completely self-taught to boot. She specializes in modern abstract art on canvas, predominantly black and white, and recently launched a series of nursery pieces featuring an adorable collection of animal characters. I fell in love with her work and am so happy that I've found an up-and-coming Canadian artist whose pieces would look great in my new condo.
Now here's where it gets good -- we're giving away an 18" x 24" custom canvas from Adriane, valued at $200! That's right,
custom. As in: she'll create one just for you. How amazing is that?!
HOW TO WIN: Just leave a comment below telling us your fave way to decorate your walls, whether it's with vintage plates, graphic wallpaper or original artwork like Adriane's. Good luck!
Contest closes June 15th, 2012 at 12pm EST. Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

Decorating with natural materials

“Sheathe an obtrusive bulkhead in reclaimed barnboard to add character and interest. The wood we used here was actually found in an abandoned barn in the country.” - Nam Dang-Mitchell, Nam Dang-Mitchell Design.

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

DIY floral arrangement

“Make a sculptural centrepiece inspired by real cherry blossom branches. Strip the bark from an interestingly shaped branch and remove the buds from a silk flower or two. Glue the buds onto the branch in an organic pattern for an effect that will last for seasons.” - Ryan Martin & Amy Kent, Croma Design.

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

Vintage prints and fabrics

“When I travel, I love to buy vintage prints and fabrics. Framing the prints in inexpensive frames and creating a collage of photos is a great way to make a big impact. I also love to stretch the fabrics on frames made for canvases as they are works of art in their own right.” - Alykhan Velji, Alykhan Velji designs.

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

Stencilling

“If the word stencilling conjures images of bad 1980s sponge designs, prepare to be amazed. Royal Design Studio has amazing Moroccan and Indian-style stencils you can use on furniture, stair risers, floors and walls for an ornate, impactful look.” - Samantha Sacks, Sam Sacks Design.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Sara Cation
Source: Royal Design Studio

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

Abstract expressionist painting

“Why not test out your creative skills and try your hand at some abstract expressionist painting? Grab a canvas and some acrylic paints in your chosen colour scheme and, who knows, you could be the next Jackson Pollock!” - Jessica Kelly, Jessica Kelly Design.

How-to: Get luxe looks for under $100

Instagram photos

“Make personalized art with your own Hipstamatic or Instagram snapshots – the apps have beautiful filters, and smartphones take good-quality photos. Choose an inexpensive frame and splurge on the mat for a high-end professional effect.” - Samantha Sacks, Sam Sacks Design.

6 tips for avoiding renovation mistakes

Renovations

6 tips for avoiding renovation mistakes

Having experienced many renos, Scott McGillivray has seen a lot of mistakes made. Some are big, some are small, but they all have one thing in common: They don’t need to happen. Scott shares his list of the top home renovation mistakes and easy ways to avoid them.

1 Poor preparationA proper renovation takes preparation – lots of it. A detailed plan will help keep you on budget and on time. Set out a very specific agreement with your contractor before the work begins and get everything in writing. You should be able to see on paper how your renovation is going to play out before it even begins.

2 Buying before planningI can’t stress this enough: Don’t buy materials or appliances until your renovation is planned out and all measurements have been taken. Online sales can be tempting, but that great deal on a 24-inch dishwasher isn’t going to save you any money if you only have room for an 18-inch model.

3 Ignoring issuesWhen you tear down walls or rip up floors, there’s a good chance you’re going to find something you weren’t expecting, especially in an older home. Electrical and plumbing issues need to be dealt with before you close the walls back up. It might be an unexpected renovation cost up front, but it will save you tons of money in the long run.

4 Cutting cornersDon’t do it. Much like ignoring issues, cutting corners on materials or finishes is only going to cause you problems in the future. It’s always better to go the extra mile and do it right the first time than have to go back and redo everything. Hire competent people to do the job, buy quality materials and take the time to complete all the necessary steps.

5 Unlicensed tradesThere are projects that any reliable contractor can take on; then there are specialized projects that require a licensed professional to complete. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, asbestos removal and anything to do with gas or the structure of your home should always be completed by a licensed professional in that specific trade.

6 Too much DIYI love ambitious homeowners who want to take part in their home renovations, but there comes a time when it’s best to hand the reins over to the professionals. Projects like cabinetry installation, complicated tile work and carpentry are beyond the scope of most homeowners and can reduce the value of your home if done incorrectly. My advice? Involve yourself in the demo – it’s the most fun part, anyway!

Organizing Ideas

10 things to do in December

With the holiday season is upon us, make the most of this month by tackling these tasks.

As the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year – and it only lasts a few weeks. Avoid seasonal stress by staying organized and having realistic expectations of what you can achieve. To help you make the most of the holiday season, here are 10 things to do this December.

1 Clean out the freezer
It's all too easy to let food accumulate in the freezer – and before long, not only is it too crowded to make room for more, but there are items in the back that should probably be thrown away. Set aside some time to organize your freezer – you may be amazed at what you'll find in there.

2 Make a wreath
Not only is a wreath on the front door inviting, but it really makes a house look like a home. If you've got the time, add a personal touch to your outdoor decor by making your own instead of buying one. And if you're really feeling inspired, make two and give the second to a friend as an early Christmas gift.

3 Get organized for gift wrapping
To save time during the hectic Christmas shopping season, set up a gift-wrapping station in an out-of-the-way spot in your home -- it will make it easy to wrap gifts as you buy them, and you won't be hunting around the house for the scissors, silver ribbon or gift tags. If you haven't got the space for a separate gift-wrapping table, put all your supplies in a couple of wicker baskets in the closet or under the bed for easy access.

4 Decorate the kitchen
Don't limit your holiday accents to the living room and entryway -- think about ways you can bring the spirit of the season into every room, including the kitchen. Try decorating the windowsill with candles and cedar boughs, putting a miniature Christmas tree on a shelf or draping doorways with garlands. For a finishing touch, simmer spices in water on the back of the stove to infuse your home with the comforting scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

5 Cook up some appetizers
Get ready for guests – whether expected or impromptu – by preparing a selection of appetizers ahead of time. Just pick recipes that can be made in advance and frozen, and you could have a season's worth of hors d'oeuvres ready in an afternoon.

6 Host a cookie exchange
Rather than devoting hours of free time to baking each of your favourite holiday treats, arrange an exchange with friends and family. Organize it so that each person bakes a different type of cookie, enough to share around with everyone in the group. Don't forget to make a few extras to serve while everyone's exchanging the goods!

7 Hang some mistletoe
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is said to come from an ancient Scandinavian tradition that when enemies met in the forest under mistletoe, they were to lay down their arms and observe a truce for the following day. Continue the tradition by hanging mistletoe in your home during the holiday season – and spread peace and goodwill among your guests.

8 Donate to the food bank
During this season of feasting, remember those who are less fortunate by bringing non-perishable food items or a monetary donation to your local food bank. Consider offering your time, as well, to help sort donations or perform other necessary tasks.

9 Let in the fresh air
It may be getting chilly outside, but that's no reason to keep the windows locked tight. Shutting up the house lets indoor pollutants accumulate, especially if it's fairly new and therefore airtight. Let in the cool, crisp air of early winter by opening the windows for a few minutes daily – longer if the weather is cooperating – and enjoy the fresh scent of a well-aired home.

10 Make homemade eggnog
Eggnog is so rich and sinfully delicious, it's probably a good thing we don't drink it all year round. So don't settle for nog in a carton – it's easy to make your own, and the results are well worth the time spent.

Photo Gallery

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Full colour

Erica’s weekend wardrobe fills up the multi-hued closet. She sacrificed shelving in the middle to display her perfume and collection of framed shopping bags that represent special or significant purchases. “They’re like postcards to me,” she says.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Save the jewelry

Long necklaces won't get tangled when stored in separate bowls.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Centre stage

“When you place an item on a tray or a dish, it’s like giving the piece its own little stage,” says Erica of her artful vignettes.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

What a pop of colour

Bright orange boxes add pop to an eye-catching display.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Crisp and clean

“I didn’t want my belts rattling around on the back of a door, so I chose to roll them up instead,” says Erica.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Black & white

The second closet, which contains formal pieces, is a true reflection of Erica’s aesthetic. “I relish the high contrast of a black and white scheme,” she says. “Nearly my whole house is black and white!” Touches of lacquer and metal play up the glam factor.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Clear and organized

“Because acrylic is clear, it doesn’t feel like it’s taking up any space,” says Erica, who scooped up these boxes from a clothing store that was closing its doors.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Put it on display

Save the closed storage for essentials and put sparkle on display.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

A long, dark platter

A long black porcelain tray is perfectly proportioned to hold Erica’s watches.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Beth Hitchcock
Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

A careful selection

Erica has specific criteria for the trays and bowls she chooses: "I like vessels that are feminine but crisp and can bounce around some light."